Upgrades coming to Virginia Dept. of Medical Assistance

Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) has announced a five-year contract, worth $84 million to Affiliated Computer Services.

ACS will manage fiscal agent and provider enrollment services for the state’s Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS). Under the terms of the contract, ACS will have fourteen months to transition and deliver additional enhancements followed by four years to facilitate long-term operational improvements and cost savings.

“ACS’ commitment to the Commonwealth means that we will provide Virginia’s Medicaid program with outstanding services, as well as leverage our health care expertise and cost saving initiatives to assist them in meeting their current economic challenges while also addressing future federal requirements,” Christopher Deelsnyder, senior vice president and managing director for ACS Government Healthcare Solutions, said in a statement.

Some of the specific duties the Commonwealth is looking for include improving online provider enrollment and a Web portal, which will provide 24-hour, 7-day per week point-of-access for claims entry, prior authorizations, retrieval of recipient eligibility, download of remittance advices and messaging, the company said.